Rochester 'murder' victim Stephen Chapman was expecting fifth child as sister gives emotional tribute
16:28, 30 October 2020
updated: 16:53, 30 October 2020
A beloved father alleged to have been murdered was expecting another baby with his partner, his heartbroken sister has revealed.
Stephen Chapman's body was found in a wheelie bin in Rochester on Sunday morning, a court heard earlier today.
Following the hearing, Stephen's sister Lisa Chapman spoke out about the pain her family was feeling describing her brother as "the kindest, gentle giant you could meet".
She said: "Four handsome boys have been left without their father and his loving beautiful partner who is expecting their third child together has been left robbed of the life they had planned together as a family.
"Ginger touched the lives of so many people; he was loved by so many. All that knew him had stories that always had people laughing.
"Our family is broken without Ginger in it, this can never be fixed.
"Rest in peace my dear brother - you will never be forgotten, you will always be in our hearts forever until we meet again."
The 38-year-old father-of-four was found dead inside a bin at a property in Delce Road.
George Knights, 18, who is accused of murder after he was arrested and charged earlier this week, appeared before a judge for the first time today.
The teenager has been remanded in custody and will stand trial next year after a date was provisionally set by a judge for May 17 during a short hearing at Maidstone Crown Court this morning.
Detectives have renewed their appeal and are calling for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage or saw a bin being pushed in the area between October 23 and October 24.
Investigations have found a wheelie bin was stolen from a home in Foord Street during the night of October 23.
Officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
'Our family is broken without Ginger in it, this can never be fixed...'
Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate as soon as possible.
Police say it is important for anyone to come forward with information "no matter how small".
To make it easier to make a report, a link has been set up on the national Major Incident Public Reporting Site
Alternatively, contact Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting reference number 46/XY/19365/20 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Tributes were paid to Stephen on Monday after his body was discovered at a flat at the weekend.
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